While walking the spiritual path encouraged through Aikido, I also seem to be stepping on a more meaningful path with the equine 'crew'.
Rather than constantly having expectations, intentions and thoughts, I am happy with just 'being'.
And so, over the past weeks and months, there have been some interesting observations with the interactions between myself and the equine crew.
In partiuclar of course with 'Kitten' and 'Mr F', as they are together and most of my time outdoors is spent with 'Mr F'.
Some 2 weeks ago I went about with my usual mucking out routine, the evening one being less work so I have more time to groom and attend 'Mr F'.
Upon entering the stable equipped with broom etc, 'Mr F' came straight to me and began lifting his back leg giving me a clear hint that he's got that itch again, somewhere back there.
It can take a while until I find the right spot, which is very clearly displayed in 'Mr F's multitude of grimasses, from ears pinched back in frustration because I cannot find the right spot to shivering in sheer extasy when I found the spot. This time I noticed 'Kitten' watching us intently.
I was still massaging 'Mr F', when I heard very quiet hoovesteps (all barefoot) behind me but continued with 'Mr F''s massage. Suddenly I could feel this warm air down my neck ... shortly followed by 'Kitten's lips who now were gently nibbling my neck, moving upwards and all over my skull sending tingles down my spine from the sensation. She was so very gentle, not once did she use her teeth. (something 'Mr F' has yet to learn!)
And so, while 'Kitten' was grooming me, I was doing the same to 'Mr F' who in turn now started to groom 'Kitten'.
If I stopped scratching 'Mr F', he too would stop. I was obviously now included in some kind of friendly grooming ritual.
And so, the next half hour or so we spent grooming each other. In fact I received the most wonderful back massage from 'Kitten.
At the end I was stunned that something so simple and pure would take me more than 2 years to take place.
This grooming routine is now a regular thing, sometimes a matter of just a few minutes, sometimes for longer. No matter where, in the stables in the morning or during daytime when I have a moment to go and visit them.
And I get an excellent back massage!
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